In a significant step towards improving bilateral ties, India is set to relax visa restrictions for Chinese business professionals after nearly five years of stringent curbs. The government will soon begin approving visa applications for senior executives from leading Chinese companies, including Vivo, Xiaomi, Oppo, BYD, Hisense, and Haier. The move will enable positions such as CEOs, country heads, general managers, and senior executives in marketing, sales, finance, and human resources to return to India and directly oversee operations.
Industry observers note that the restrictions had created major operational hurdles, with several key executives managing Indian operations remotely. The easing of visas is expected to provide much-needed relief to companies, strengthen supply chains, and revive stalled collaborations in the technology and manufacturing sectors.
This development coincides with a broader warming in India–China relations. Both nations recently agreed to resume direct flights, facilitate journalist visas, and expand cultural exchanges. The diplomatic breakthrough followed high-level talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where both sides emphasized the importance of reducing border tensions while enhancing economic cooperation.
Analysts believe the decision signals a more pragmatic approach by New Delhi, balancing security considerations with the need to stabilize trade and investment. “Allowing Chinese business leaders back into India will help restore business confidence, particularly in the electronics and consumer durables sectors, where Chinese companies hold a significant market share,” said a senior industry official.
While the government has yet to release detailed guidelines on the new visa process, insiders suggest that most non-technical Chinese business visa applications are likely to be cleared in the coming months, marking a cautious but deliberate reopening
